23 highest-paid healthcare CEOs: Wall Street Journal

In 2025, Sam Hazen, CEO of HCA Healthcare, topped the list of highest-paid healthcare CEOs among S&P 500 companies, earning a significant sum that underscores the growing financial disparity in executive compensation within the sector. The median pay for CEOs across all S&P 500 companies also hit a new record, nearly $18 million, raising questions about the alignment of executive pay with company performance and broader economic impacts. This trend highlights an increasing gap between executive compensation and the average worker's earnings, sparking discussions on corporate governance and the equitable distribution of wealth.